Contact Sister Martha Ann Kirk, (210-829-3854, kirk@universe.uiwtx.edu) or Basil Aivaliotis (210-829-6054, basila@universe.uiwtx.edu) and find out if this is the right tour for you.

1. This is not a vacation, but a pilgrimage. Respect for holy places, people and for different cultures, patience, flexibility, a sense of humor, good health, physical endurance for long bus rides, walking, and heat are needed. The challenges will be worth it as the beauty and spirituality unfold.
2. If you do not have a valid passport, get one as soon as possible because the passport number is needed when making international reservations. Apply for a passport (forms are at larger post offices). See http://www.state.gov for information about the country you will visit.
3. Currently Basil and Sr. Martha Ann are sharing background on Greece at 12 noon on Fridays. If you live in the San Antonio area and would like to come, you are welcome.
4. You will be given a list of recommended readings and videos, as well as, the links on this web site so that you may be able to understand and benefit from the places that you will see.
5. Sign contractual forms with UIW and make payments.
6. Obtain travel insurance. We will give you information on this.
7. Persons under the care of a physician must present a signed letter from their primary care provider indicating that it is safe for them to travel.
8. Persons taking prescription medication need to take with them supplies that will last for the duration of the trip.

This tour will have simple accommodations and superb content.

Included in the price of the tour:

--Round trip airfare from San Antonio , Texas (reasonable arrangements could be made if persons had other departure cities).
--Chartered Motorcoaches within Greece
-- Lectures by UIW faculty and local teaching guides specialized in art, religion, and history.
--Entrance fees to archeological sites, historical sites, museums, and churches according to the itinerary.
--Simple two-star hotel accommodations in double room (unless one chooses to pay an extra single supplement).
--Continental breakfast each day.

Not included:
Tips to the bus driver and guide
Other meals and tips.
Travel insurance.
Items of a personal nature needed for a successful, healthy, and safe tour (readings, paper for taking notes, a watch to be at all places on time [We don't want to leave you!], dress appropriate for visiting churches, sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent, sunglasses suggested)

TENTATIVE ITINERARY AND COSTS

June 5 Depart US ( San Antonio , TX to Chicago , IL , to Europe and then Athens )
June 6 Arrive in Athens-transfer to hotel
June 7 Athens city tour, Acropolis, Mars Hill, Agora and Benaki Museum
June 8 Visit the Island of Aegina
June 9 Corinth/Epidaurus tour
June 10 Visit Delphi continue to Meteora
June 11 Visit Meteora, Vergina and overnight in Thessaloniki
June 12 Thessaloniki city and church tour
June 13 Philippi and Kavala (overnight may be back in Thessaloniki )
June 14 Drive from Thessaloniki to Athens
June 15 Free day in Athens
June 16 Depart for US

Tentative price for 15 to 20 persons: $2050

The airfare portion of this ( San Antonio to Athens ) is $947. If someone is leaving from Chicago , he or she may deduct $160 from $947.

If one wishes a single room, the cost is $250 more than $2050.

Flight reservations need to be made AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND FULL AIRFARE OF $947 NEEDS TO BE PAID BY CHECK. The remaining $1073 is due by April 20.

Greece and Turkey Tour (At the present time, the Turkey extension is canceled.)
Day 1 Depart from the US
Day 2 Arrive Athens
Day 3 Athens City Tour. Overnight Athens .
Day 4 Aegina . Return to Athens for overnight.
Day 5 Corinth/Epidaurus tour. Return to Athens for overnight.
Day 6 Visit Delphi . Continue to Meteora for overnight.
Day 7 Visit Meteora. Continue to Vergina. Drive to Thessaloniki for overnight.
Day 8 Thessaloniki city and church tour. Overnight Thessaloniki .
Day 9 Visit Philippi , Kavala. Overnight Kavala.
Day 10 Continue to border for crossing into Turkey . Drive to Istanbul for overnight.
Day 11 Full day Istanbul . Overnight.
Day 12 Visit Troy . Continue to Canakkale for overnight.
Day 13 Visit Pergamum . Continue to Izmir for overnight.
Day 14 Visit Philadelphia, Sardis , continue to Pamukkale for overnight.
Day 15 Visit Hierapolis , Ephessos. Continue to Kusadasi for overnight.
Day 16 Depart from Izmir airport to Istanbul airport and continue on to US.

Greece and Turkey Tour tentative price for 15 to 20 persons: $2555 per person.

THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT CHARGES A VISA FEE OF $100 WHICH MUCH BE PREPAID TO OUR TRAVEL AGENT SO THAT THEY CAN GET YOU A VISA BEFORE WE DEPART. This is separate from the cost of the trip.

Payment Plan for Greece and Turkey :
By Dec. 15 $200 deposit
On Feb. 15, March 15, and April 15, payments of $785

We hope that you will be part of this exciting adventure to some of the most beautiful and important centers of learning, religion, and art in the world!